carbohydrates

Carbohydrates get a bad rap. We toss the bread from our sandwiches, avoid tortillas, and ignore rice—I'm as guilty of giving carbs the occasional cold shoulder as anyone. (Poor potatoes!) But I just watched this short video—"Debunking the Diet: Is Carb a Four-Letter Word?" (it's part of a video series produced by Luna Bar)—and, for me, it provided a nice reminder that we all need a certain amount of good carbohydrates every day for our brains and bodies to...well, work, really. (And I especially love how the dietitian in the video says that we shouldn't call foods "good" and "bad"—let's eat whatever we want; it's all about moderation!) Of course, not all carbs are created equal. Cakes, doughnuts, sugary muffins, even some breads made with refined flours...they lack nutrients, and eating enough of them may raise your risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. But there are plenty of carbs that are filled with protein, vitamins, and minerals—plus lots of fiber, which helps keep you feeling fuller, longer, which in turn helps curb cravings. Here are some favorites—plus, tasty recipes that you should totally try. Quinoa: The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations named the read more